Welcome back, Cesar!

When I combine what I've learned from your teachings, and my own interactions with dogs, I see where a dog's position within any social group, can be key to their balance and security. Leadership, and pack "join-up" communicates so much to a dog entering a new family.

There can be problems with favoritism, involving the dogs already in the household. Most humans don't understand the kindness they are showing to all of the dogs, if they don't play favorites. Humans=leaders and dogs=followers, works very well and is completly logical, from a dog's point of view.

Your previous recommendations of a long walk as a pack, before bringing the new dog home, is a valuable exercise.

I use this "we are working together" formation all of the time. It communicates who the leaders are, we are working together, and also uses energy productivly.

Yes, dogs do take their cues from how other dogs relate to you. If your current dog does not view and treat you as the leader, the second dog will pick up on this immediately!

Looking forward to this week's show!

Deb

:D

dear Cesar,
If only your show has been around three years ago....
I made many mistakes while adopting my second dog, because i just didn't know. I thought the dogs will be happy together. Well, it took almost a year for them to become friends, they tolerated each other for most of the time, but they fighted too. Right now they are separated all the time, because of the fights. When i got my third dog, I did many things right (without knowing), and this dog is loved by the two others.

I think many times you don't realize the problems that were already there with the first dog until you get a second dog. When I adopted my second dog and attempted to walk her correctly and use good leadership principles with her it really highlighted how much I had failed with our first dog. My new dog was just so much more energetic and young and the first dog was older, had less energy and fewer behavior problems that it just didn't seem as important. It's so true that you need to establish that relationship with the existing dog before getting another because its a lot harder to train two at the same time.

Shari,
I am glad your dogs are doing so well.
I am sure there is a way for my dogs to be friends again, but I am afraid to try on my own. I have contacted four different trainers, two of them never called me back after listening to my problem, the third one told me to let the dogs fight it, the fourth one said that she doesn't think they will ever be able to peacefuly coexist.
As I said before, Blackie and Ruffy became friends after a while, with ocassional fights that didn't hurt them much. Blackie was always the one starting fights, and Ruffy, even though a submissive dog, would defend herself. They went 7 months without fighting, and I was in heaven. Then I found my third dog - Sparky (pit bull mix), that someone just dumped in the park. I decided to adopt her, as she was a seetheart (still is) and got along with everyone great. I asked the vet if she was spayed, and since the vet couldn't tell, she told me to wait and see if Sparky will get in heat.
In the following 5 months Blackie and Ruffy started to fight ocasionally again, with Sparky watching them, not knowing what was going on. Finally during one fight she joined jumping on Ruffy with her sharp teeth and strong pit bull jaws, and hurting her badly in the leg. The vet told me it's a pack mentality, Sparky sees her pack fighting, and she joins in, having no idea that she is hurting her pack members.
Then almost a year ago, I have noticed Blackie getting more and more agressive towards Ruffy. I had no idea then, but Sparky was getting into heat, and it obviously caused Blackie to react. They fighted 4 times in 5 days, and if I managed to remove Sparky promptly, the damage was minimal. But one day during the fight Sparky bit Blackie's back badly, and she ended up in the emergency room. Two surgeries and almost $2000 later there was no change. Blackie came home from the hospital after her second surgery, and she immediately started fighting with Ruffy. At that point I have separated them, and they have been separated for almost a year now. If they meet acidenally there is always a fight.
I can't handle it myself, but since I wasn't able to get any professional help, keeping Blackie and Ruffy apart all the time is the next best thing, and it's working for me. Sparky gets along with both dogs, and she would never start a fight on her own, however when she joins one it ends up in disaster.

Dear Cesar,

My family and I love watching your show. I have learned so much. We even discuss episodes at lunch at work. I have a 2 year old lab, cattle dog mix Max a rescue with fear issues. And a new member of the pack Rocky, a 1 year old Dalmatian, also a rescue. Both are male and the Dalmatian is the alpha male.
I had taken Max to puppy classes and training classes. I really have no issue with Max. He walks on the leash, obeys commands, will submit to even the cats, etc. But Rocky is a work in progress. I thank you almost every day because without your guidance I am not sure I would be able to help Rocky. He was in the shelter as a puppy, and then returned again around 10 months. I have owned Dalmatians in the past and I love this breed. But he is my greatest challange. I have been successful, expecially with the walks releasing his high level energy. What I have learned from Rocky is that I HAVE to be the pack leader every day. Yesterday does not exist for this dog. Once I establish myself as pack leader things usually run smoothly. But what I would like to know is he ever, ever going to stop testing me every day? High energy dogs = tired owners. Keep up the great work. You have many loyal fans in Delaware.

Audrey,

I think that the more that you continue to not back down(takes alot of patience with a dominant dog like that)he may get the idea gradually. my dog is a submissive type, but i have noticed that no matter how many times he plays with the same different dogs, they always challenge, and/or re-establish who is dominant. basically, challenging eachother is just what they do. your dalmatian is still yery young, which, with the youthful attitude that he has, he will continue to challenge you daily probably until hes 3yrs or older, then he may change a little. my dog is a one year old, and in people years he is a fifteen year old boy. I beleive that dogs go through chemical changes as they get older, just as people do.

Wow, great site! I'm a HUGE fan of Cesar's. My dog used to get so car sick, that he would be ill before I even got to the end of my driveway! The only place I could ever drive him was to the vet's office. They would have to give him IV fluids and meds for the trip home, even if it was just for a routine exam. Three vets and two dog behavior specialists couldn't solve the problem. But following Cesar's approach, I started becoming a better pack leader. Now, I put my dog in the car and away we go. He goes everywhere with me now! We go hiking and trail walking together. We go to the dog park. Life is great!

A couple of years ago, I had successfully integrated a second dog into my home. Actually, my first dog, JD, picked her, I didn't. So he was happy with her from the start. Lately, though, I've had a bit of a problem and wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience. My mom comes to my house 3-4 days a week to help me take care of my house and dogs because I live alone and some distance from my work. It's difficult to come home every day at lunch and walk the dogs. My mom recently got a new puppy. So the puppy comes for a few days, then goes home. Comes back next week, etc., etc. And every week, we have this upheaval of the dogs trying to refigure out their pecking order. It really doesn't help that my Mom's dog is very assertive and my Mom isn't (hmm, guess we'll have to work on her pack leader skills).

But has anyone else found a solution for part-time pack members??

Thanks!

Debbie

Debbie

I am a single mom with three dogs (two are one year old lab-rottie mixes, the other, a twelve year old hound mix.) Your schedule sounnds as hectic as mine. To add to this, a girl friend brings her Brittney Spanial over on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and I walk my dogs with either my Mom's 12 year old mix or a neighbor's Cattahula to help them out. I believe that the more socialization each dog gets, the better.

The first thing that I do to help the additional dogs join our pack is take them all for a long walk. In the beginning, this is difficult, but the benefit is worth the effort.

The second thing I do is put them all in the backyard together and get out of the way. It seems as though the walk establishes me as the pack leader and then the time with only dogs (after they have let out some energy) helps them establish their own heriarchy outside of human contact.

Once their not so energetic, they usually take a nap. After they wake, they play together the rest of the day as if they lived together everyday.

Two things to remember that Cesar taught me is that unless your own dog respects you as the leader, no other dogs that come to your home will either. Also, excercise is a very important, the more pent-up energy, the bigger the chance for anxious pets.

Let us know how it goes! Thanks

Kristina

Hi, I am a big fan of Ceasar's. I was injured 6 yrs ago and re-injured again 1 1/2 years ago. I decided the last time I was injured to get a puppy. She has developed into an amazing pet. Although I took her to the park everyday for a walk I felt she needed a running companion. So I rescued the cutest little fella, a terrier cross (Sparky). The first day I got Sparky we all went for a walk at the park. I didn't realize how sick he was at the time. I nursed him back to health as he had been starving and neglected. Today, I realized I have done a lot wrong with him. I have watched a lot of Ceasar's shows but not until after I got them both. My one older dog has been kennel trained and is coming along nicely. Sparky on the other hand, I was unable to kennel train. He would urinate in the kennel and he would be soaked when I went to get him out day after day, week after week. Plus, he would cry hour upon hour. It didn't matter how long I left him in it. I just felt like this was a punishment and I couldn't follow through. Sparky is also a very clingy puppy. If I go to take a shower he will sit outside the door until I am finished. If I get changed, he expects to come in the room with me, if I take any task he typically sits on my feet. Sparky is just over 4 months old and although he is a fun loving dog and gets along with everyone, I think is having severe nightmares, or something? ( I will call them nightmares since I don't know what this is about). Almost every night I am awakened several times by whimpering, yelping his little legs vibrate like crazy and he recently has started snoring. I will wake him up and he cuddles me and falls right back asleep until the next episode. I know that I have failed in proper training techniques but could this be what is contributing to these nightmares?

We recently adopted a 7-month old mixed breed female dog into our home. We already had a 6-year old Staffordshire Terrier mix. They seemed to get along great initially and our older dog was fine with the younger dog.

However, we noticed the older dog (Shasta) getting more aggressive towards the new pup as time went on. We found out Shasta has cancer - and we had to rush her into emergency surgery to remove her spleen and part of her liver. It's a very rare and aggressive form of cancer so we don't know how long she has to live. She's been back home for three weeks now.

We placed the pup (Whitney) with a friend as Shasta recovered from her surgery. We just brought Whitney back into the home and Shasta is now very aggressive towards Whitney, to the point where we now must separate the two when we are gone and watch closely to keep them from fighting when we are at home.

Is this just a reaction of protection from our older dog or is it outright rejection. Any ideas on how we can integrate the two?

Jay

Greetings everyone. A friend just introduced me to Cesar's episodes and I find them quite interesting and educational. My wife are in the process of getting a "rescued dog", but before we get it, I plan on ordering Cesar's dvd to help train US. :)

I have a question when dealing with stray dogs. I'm a runner/marathoner. About once a month, I've had some close calls dealing with stray or unleashed dogs. I sometimes carry a small canister of mace/pepper spray for protection. If I don't have it and come across an aggresive dog, what should I do? There have been several times where I've feared for my safety and the owners were not around. There are not too many things that are scarier than being by yourself, turning around and seeing a dog with its hair standing on end, growling and snapping at you. Please advise.

Thank you,
Dwight

Ewa,

Thank you for your response. Normally, whenever I'm in that situation. I try to talk very calmly, slowly back up, and always face the dog. One time, while running through a field/park I thought I heard someone on a bike approach me from behind. I then felt something grab my heel and I quickly turned around and saw an aggressive black lab. He kept trying to lunge at me from the side, but I kept turning around facing him directly. This went on for several minutes until the owner finally was able to get close enough and call him (leash in hand...a lot of good that did). I've also had a schnauzer (sp?) bolt out of a house, across the street, and kept snapping at my feet. He successfully got ahold of my shoelaces, but luckily that is all that he got of me.

Yes, I do plan on training my dog to run with me, but the first dog we are getting is a basset hound. Somehow, I don't see them being a distance runner. :) My wife, on the other hand, is looking forward to taking our future basset for walks. I still haven't decided what type of dog to get that would also make a good running partner and would also be ideal for our lifestyle.

Hi there, I have a 1 year old male neutered pure bred yellow labrador retriever. We got him when was 3 months old and had him for 8 months now. My husband & I want to get a female dog companion for him and for us. My father in law will sometimes bring his old female dog over to play and I noticed that our dog gets jealous, he puts his body between us and her,but no biting or growling, when we go to pet her. We really want to get that 2nd dog and are worried about what age to get. I want to get another puppy and my husband wants to get one close to his age. We really should get another one because our house was broken into and our boys were tied up and beaten. Our puppy was 4 months at the time and there was no protection for us, he did go crazy with barking though. I am scared of getting a dog that is not a puppy because I don't know what kind of back ground they been in. As I get older I am getting a fear of dogs that I don't know. Does anybody have any suggestions? This is driving us all crazy with my unsureness and fear. Thank you so much.

My mom posted the last blog, in reference to the 2 dogs fighting. I wanted to place my individual input in as well. We are at a point of turmoil with these animals. I love my dog more than life itself, but since I live in the parents house, it means if a dog goes, it's mine. I am desperate to find a solution. I am pregnant with a baby that's going up for adoption, and my dogs are my babies, and my world. They are all I have, and the idea of losing one that I've had for years just kills me. Janice and I could both really use some suggestions! We can't keep on living this way! SOS!

Janice and Diane,

That is a tough problem, without easy solution. I wish I had a solution. You need to watch your two other non fighting dogs, because with time they may want to join in the fight. I have three dogs, two of them fight. They are even worse than yours, because they cannot be walked together. They have been separated for a year now. My husband and I are starting to walk them together, so they can see each other but not touch. I hope that with time they will get used to that. However I will never be able to put them together in the house. My third dog is a pit bull mix, the sweetest thing in a world. She watched the dogs fight for some time, and then she decided to join the fight. When the two dogs fight, they have some scratches and bumps, but nothing serious. When Sparky (the pit bull mix) joins, she causes lots of damage. One of my dogs had to go through two surgeries because of that.
We put up gates in the kitchen. Yes, many times we have to go over the gates with plates in our hands. It's a pain, but our dogs are safe. We have put a couch in the kitchen, so the dog who is currently there can take a nap. One of the fighting dogs loves to be in the front yard, and watch the action, so I tie her up on a long rope for some time. If she wants to come in, she scratches on the doors.
The other dogs have the whole house and a fenced in backyard with doggie doors. It is working for us, so if you decide to separate them, it might work for you too. It's better than giving your dogs away.
Now I wish someone will come and tell us how to make the dogs friends again.

Have two Vizsla's male and a female. Mickey&Mollie. Sweet dogs. Mickey is a little nervous does't like riding in cars unless they are going fast. He whines all the time if you go slow. It's hard to dicpline a dog when you are driving. He's always been that way.doesn't seem to bother his sister. I'm sure he picks up on the fact that it bothers me. There are many ways he seems to lack the calm submissive way I would like for him to enjoy. I have rheumatiod Arthritis have had for many years unable to do any joint excerise. So therefore the dogs don't get to walk. I live in a small town hard to find a dog walker. Was hoping for some advise me and many thousands of others. I very much enjoy your show. Didn't think people like you were able to do the things you do with dogs look so easy. I watch you faithfully every week and also log on to your web site hoping learn all I can about my animal friends and how we interact with them. Thank you for sharing yourself and your knowledge with us and our dog friends.

I have 2 female dobermans not from the same litter.They are 2 years old and both spayed. We got one as a pup and then a year later got another as a play mate. They differ in size one is 52 lbs and the other is 74 lbs. In the past 6 months they have been agressive with each other and got in 2 bad fights which lead to stiches. Is there anyway they can get along? or do I need to give one up for a male? Thank you for your time,any advice would be great.

What is the name of the skates Cesar wears? I cannot seem to find them anywhere and I'd like to get some.
Thanks

Hi Annie long,
Those great skates are called LandRoller skates and you can find them at www.skates.com. They are expensive though! $200.00+

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